Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 11, 2024

Kenneth Paul Sommerkamp, Jr., 54, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Kenny was born January 13, 1970, in Washington, DC. He grew up in Winston-Salem, NC where he graduated from Forsyth Country Day School. He continued his education at the University of Alabama where he graduated with a degree in political science, was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, and met his love LeAnn, his wife of thirty years.

He began his career in Charlotte, NC as a commercial real estate broker at Grubb & Ellis, Bissell Patrick. After working in commercial real estate for ten years, he moved into business development working at York Development Group, Cummins Atlantic, Metrolina Builders, and at the time of his death as Client Solutions Manager at JE Dunn Construction. He served on the golf committee for Hemby Children’s Hospital and was Spectator Services Division Chair for the 2017 PGA tournament at Quail Hollow Club.

Kenny was one of a kind. He had numerous close friends from every phase of his life. He was the guy you wanted to sit down and drink a beer with, he was always up for a good time and chatted with everyone he met. His grandfather was a pro-level golfer in the Hall of Fame at Duke University. Unfortunately, Kenny did not get those genes but loved the game just as much and played regularly with his band of MITs and every other time and place he had the chance. He loved music of all kinds and loved a good show – a Phish, Panic, or Goose show was definitely his happy place, whether it was a live show or blaring on the TV in the comfort of his den. He loved catching up with old friends and spending weekends in Tuscaloosa watching his beloved Tide, frequenting old hangout spots and the KA house.

He adored his three children – Ellie (27), Anna Davis (23) and Mack (19) – and spending time with them at Sea Island. He couldn’t be prouder of the young adults they are all becoming. He and LeAnn loved to travel, especially to the beach/islands with friends and family. He loved a sushi meal and a Japanese steakhouse – Kyoto in Winston-Salem was his lifetime favorite. He loved a cold Budweiser and any fruity or frozen, sugary sweet girly cocktail. He was a creature of habit – he liked the things he liked. We will especially miss Kenny’s laugh, his love of life, his gregarious spirit, and his unwavering zest for a good time.

Kenny is survived by his wife, LeAnn Glover Sommerkamp, his three children, Ellie Sommerkamp of New York, NY, Anna Davis Sommerkamp of Birmingham, AL, and Mack Sommerkamp of Charlotte. He is survived by his sister Paula Sommerkamp Magargle (Brian) and nephew Alex Magargle all of Columbia, SC and his father Kenneth Paul Sommerkamp Sr. (Susan) of Winston-Salem, NC. He is also survived by many loved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Perry Sommerkamp, maternal grandparents, Clifford Webster Perry Sr. and Pauline Davis Perry and paternal grandparents, Henry Joseph Sommerkamp, and Kathlyn Marie Diskon Sommerkamp.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 14, 2024. at Myers Park United Methodist Church. Following the service, family and friends will gather at Quail Hollow Club for a celebration of Kenny’s life.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The University of Alabama or Hemby Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.